Panic

"You know I tried telling Alex the truth about Mom's mistakes but each time I got more scared. She and Mama Rosa are the only ones I have now so if they left me cause of Mom"....Cynthia sighed looking up from her glass to Roy. "It sounds selfish, doesn't it"

He filled his glass, "No it doesn't" She moved closer to him bringing her glass.

"Me too," she said.

"But you seem drunk," he said.

"No am not, just tipsy but not drunk" she smiled.

He pours her half a glass, "Let's finish this and go to bed"

"Okay," she sipped some.

"Can I ask you a question?" he said.

"Mmm"

"If I do what you have failed to do to your mother, will you hate me?"

She gaped taking the rest of the wine in one gulp.

"I won't so do whatever you have to do," she said.

He started at her, "I hope with this you can be able to live your life better"

She smiled and got up sitting next to him, "Am borrowing your shoulder for a while" he heard her say as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"If your sleepy don't mind me you can go to bed," he said.

"No, am good here," she said closing her eyes.

"Okay," he breathed as he sat still next to her.

....

Nathan had just stepped out of the meeting when Becca came in running with his phone.

"It's your father," she said. He took his phone.

"Yes Dad"

"Hi son, how did the meeting go," he asked.

"Great, something wrong?" he asked.

His father wasn't the type to call and ask about work unless he had something to say.

"I don't want you to panic so you need to promise you won't," his father said.

He frowned and his heart skipped a beat when Alex's name instantly popped into his head.

"What happened to Alex?" he asked.

His father sighed, "She sick, but before you panic... Just know it can be treated but it might involve surgery" His father could hear the silence from Nathan.

Nathan who had fallen silent heard the phone move and a female voice speak.

"Nathan honey, don't worry we will look after her until you get back, so didn't think so much about it and just get back soon, you hear?"

He breathed, "Yes Mom" She could hear the tremble in his voice.

"Good, take care of yourself," she said hanging up.

Alex's mother turned to George, "His shocked just like us"

"I know, but now we need to be there for Alex as we wait for him to get back," he said.

Their eyes turned to the unconscious Alex laying on the hospital bed.